How to Tell When a Helmet Fits

Measuring your head gets you to the right size. But the real test happens when you put the helmet on. A properly fitting motorcycle helmet should feel snug, stable, and comfortable — here is how to evaluate fit before you commit to a purchase.

The Cheek Test

The cheek pads should press firmly against both cheeks, creating a slight chipmunk-cheek effect when you look in a mirror. Your cheeks should move when you try to rotate the helmet side to side — the helmet and your skin move together, not independently. If the helmet rotates freely on your head without dragging your skin, it is too large.

The Forehead Test

The helmet should sit level on your head with the top of the eye port just above your eyebrows. If the helmet sits high, exposing your forehead, the internal shape does not match your head. The brow pad should contact your forehead evenly without concentrated pressure at any single point.

The Roll-Off Test

With the chin strap fastened, grab the back of the helmet and try to roll it forward off your head. The helmet should resist and not come off. If it rolls forward past your eyebrows, the retention system is too loose, the size is too large, or the shape is wrong for your head.

Pressure Points and Hot Spots

Wear the helmet for at least 15 to 20 minutes in the store (most good shops allow this). Pressure points that appear within the first few minutes usually indicate a head-shape mismatch that will not improve with break-in. A tight overall feeling, however, is normal and will ease as the foam compresses.

Common trouble areas: temples (the helmet is too narrow for your head shape), crown (the helmet is too shallow), and the back of the skull (the helmet is too short front-to-back). If you experience pressure in any of these areas, try a different brand designed for a different head shape rather than sizing up.

Glasses and Sunglasses

If you wear glasses, put them on with the helmet. The temples of your glasses should slide in without bending or excessive pressure. Many helmets have eyeglass channels built into the cheek pads for this purpose. Modular helmets are generally easier for glasses wearers because you can flip the chin bar up and put your glasses on before lowering it.